Making a planning application

- Do I need planning permission?
- Getting pre-application advice
- Submitting a planning application
- Renewable energy
- Matters to consider

Do I need planning permission?

Alterations and extensions to property and changes of use of land may require planning permission. If your house is a listed building you should definitely seek our advice before commencing any work.

The links below will take you to the relevant planning guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government's/Planning Portal website.

• Guidance for Householders (opens in new window)
• Outdoor Advertisements and Signs: A Guide for Advertisers (opens in new window)
• Installation of Satellite Television Dishes: Householder's Planning Guidance (opens in new window)
• A Farmer's Guide to the Planning System (opens in new window)

If you are in any doubt as to whether you require planning permission, you can complete our Householder Enquiry Form and send this to us or you can contact the Planning Service.

You may find it helpful to read the useful planning information on the Planning Portal (opens in new window). This includes a ‘Visual Guide to Planning Permission for Householders’ (opens in new window) which can be used to direct you to the most relevant information.

Getting pre-application advice

If you think you may need to make an application for planning permission the first thing to do is write to the Planning Department giving as much information as possible about what you would like to do (sketches, measurements, materials to be used etc) - the location of the property must be identified. The planning officer for your area will then respond in writing.

Submitting a planning application

If, after speaking to your local planning officer, you decide to go ahead with your application for planning permission you then have two options:

Applying online: You can apply for planning permission online using the Planning Portal (opens in new window).  This allows you to complete the application form, pay the fee and attach required documentation.

Applying by post: You can download and print the relevant application forms, notes and fees from the Leaflets and Forms area of this website.

Renewable energy

Planning has an important role to play in our response to climate change.  Further information about how this might be the case or how to obtain planning permission for renewable energy projects can be viewed in our Renewable energy pages.

A fact sheet is available on how to obtain further information on energy saving and renewable energy in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which may be of interest to householders.

Matters to consider:

1. Building Control

If you are intending to undertake building work you need to be aware of Building Control Regulations. District councils require Building Regulation applications for most building work. The links below will take you to the appropriate site for further information:

• Craven District Council (opens in new window)
• Richmondshire District Council (opens in new window)
• South Lakeland District Council (opens in new window)

2. Constraints

The following could affect applications for planning permission, click on the links for further information:

• Flood risk (opens in new window), the likelihood of flooding in your area. A flood risk assessment may be required with your planning application.
• Contamination of land (opens in new window) can occur as a result of previous industrial use and may represent harm to human health and the environment. The Environment Agency may need to be consulted on your planning application.
• Tree preservation orders (opens in new window) are orders made by the local authority on a tree or number of trees that make it an offence to carry out any work without the Authority’s consent.
• Conservation areas are designated by the National Park Authority and are designed to protect buildings and landscape features including trees which contribute to the special character of the area. If you live in a Conservation Area you may require consent for demolition. Check if where you live is a designated Conservation Area.
• Article 4 directions are issued in circumstances where specific control over development is required, primarily where the character of an area of acknowledged importance would be threatened. They are therefore most commonly applied to conservation areas. The effect of such a Direction is to remove permitted development rights, thereby necessitating a planning application to be made.
• Article 3 directions remove permitted development rights for most forms of development where an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required, thereby necessitating a planning application to be made.